Robert Louis Stevenson's novella has fascinated us for decades. The idea that you can split your so-called 'good side' from your 'wild, evil side' is certainly an intriguing one. Here are a few fun facts you might not know about the famous novella.
1. The idea came to Stevenson in a dream
Stevenson was apparently snoozing away, dreaming up his masterpiece when his wife Fanny woke him up. She thought he was distressed but he was cross that she tore him away from this dark, wonderful story. He later wrote an about it in an essay, 'A chapter on dreams.' He wrote: I dreamed the scene at the window, and a scene afterward split in two, in which Hyde, pursued for some crime, took the powder and underwent the change in the presence of his pursuers.
The next time you head to sleep, keep a pen and pad by your nightstand in case inspiration strikes.
2. Stevenson was sick when he wrote the novella
Bedridden, sick as a dog with what was likely TB, Stevenson persevered and kept drafting his story. Thankfully he recovered enough to see it through and went on to write other great literary works.
3. The actor who played Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde was accused of murder.
In a London production of the play in 1888, the actor Richard Mansfield blew audiences away with his performance-- and frightened them too. So much so, that they thought he must be the killer, Jack the Riper, who was lurking the streets of London at the time. Luckily he was acquitted.
4. Stevenson wrote the novella in only 3-6 days.
Not only did he write his story when he was bedridden (and perhaps on cocaine that was prescribed to him for a haemorrhage), but he did so in record time. Sometimes it pays to rip through a first draft. Speaking of which...
5. The first draft was destroyed.
Apparently his wife Fanny wasn't a big fan of the first draft and they had a huge row about it. She said it wasn't doing a lot of things right- including executing its moral allegory. Stevenson was quite affected by the argument and threw his manuscript into the fire. Luckily he didn't abandon the idea.
If you've never read 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', or feel like revisiting it, you can pick up your copy as part of our Sexy Monster's book casket. For more gothic blogs and news, subscribe to our newsletter.
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